Changes to role

dishyrishi · 2023-02-11T14:22:56+00:00

Employer has just decided to change everyone's roles post a redundancy process in the team. Something decided by our managers who are useless. Made the entire reception team redundant. They've decided that as well as being PAs to c2 people, we now have to have c4 people, on top of this we now have to work the reception too. This is not a small firm. So it's very busy. I know they can technically ask you to do anything, it's in the job spec, but surely the fact our roles have just doubled, being presented with the prospect of also being receptionists is just stupid. You can do your other job while doing reception, forcing you to essentially work longer hours. Can they do this, or given the additional work plus the job change should they be consulting with us? I think I'd rather have been made redundant as the package was good. Any thoughts welcome please

midgemadgemodge · 11/02/2023 14:33

You are not forced to work longer hours

You may have to be firm and go home at home time

It would be a good idea to ask them to prioritise your activities so that you know what you should best drop if things do get too much

Original poster

dishyrishi · 11/02/2023 14:37

First of all, none of us want to go on reception. Our roles are very skilled, well paid and support senior leadership. Reception is a real downgrade.

Secondly when you work for individuals as a PA it's not really possible to just not do the work, it's very time critical work, not doing it in a timely way comes back on you, but your right, I suppose you have to fail at what they're asking you to do to prove a point.

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makingarunforit · 11/02/2023 14:51

I guess they can. You can choose not to accept it and start looking elsewhere.

I suggest you work your hours and take your lunch break. Do not kill yourself to get everything done or they will think it's a great success.

makingarunforit · 11/02/2023 14:54

Also, if you are looking after four people and covering reception that is effectively a day for each.

Maybe tell each person they have 7.5 hours of your time. What would they like you to focus on as you're not going to have time to do everything.

Original poster

dishyrishi · 11/02/2023 14:58

makingarunforit · 11/02/2023 14:54

Also, if you are looking after four people and covering reception that is effectively a day for each.

Maybe tell each person they have 7.5 hours of your time. What would they like you to focus on as you're not going to have time to do everything.

I wish, we have their inboxes, so they expect us to just deal with stuff. I think I'm questioning whether I should leave really as it just doesn't feel right.

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Original poster

dishyrishi · 11/02/2023 14:58

makingarunforit · 11/02/2023 14:51

I guess they can. You can choose not to accept it and start looking elsewhere.

I suggest you work your hours and take your lunch break. Do not kill yourself to get everything done or they will think it's a great success.

I agree on this, if we just make it work it looks like a success, and it's far from that, it's a real mess

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makingarunforit · 11/02/2023 15:02

So they think you'll just able to do double the amount of work and then some in the same time available?

Suggest you look for a new job.

Original poster

dishyrishi · 11/02/2023 15:10

makingarunforit · 11/02/2023 15:02

So they think you'll just able to do double the amount of work and then some in the same time available?

Suggest you look for a new job.

Exactly this, which is madness

I am quickly waking up to smell the coffee but I kind of wish they'd made me redundant

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Original poster

dishyrishi · 11/02/2023 20:10

I'd also add, I have a disability which they're aware of and have had the usual occ health stuff done, adjustments made etc. doubling my work is absolutely going to impact my health, so I'm wondering what they think they're doing. This said, it's not just me affected so I know it's not personal.

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blippyissilly · 12/02/2023 18:21

Two options, either look for a new job and eventually leave or, stay and just slow right down so the work isn't getting done on time

Give them a problem

As of last Tuesday I've slowed right down and now I'm doing a fraction of what I was before and I will continue to do this

When I started the job 18 mths ago I joined a team of two other people. One has since left and the other now does a different job in another building

I'm expected to do the job on my own. I've had enough of trying to handle it now so I've decided to just let everything build up and questions will eventually be asked

I'm looking for a new job but in the meantime just on a go slow now

Pencase · 12/02/2023 18:36

Interesting question on how much you do as a PA - dh shared a PA with 3 other colleagues at a big four firm - they do mostly diary management, our PA doe the same - but she will do anything for us - as long as she is paid and spoken to with respect, all stuff that needs to be done will be done by her. But for DH's clients some PAs are almost a deputy - they wield enormous amounts of influence. Whether what they are suggesting is reasonable really depends on who you are assisting and what they expect of you.

Original poster

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 19:52

blippyissilly · 12/02/2023 18:21

Two options, either look for a new job and eventually leave or, stay and just slow right down so the work isn't getting done on time

Give them a problem

As of last Tuesday I've slowed right down and now I'm doing a fraction of what I was before and I will continue to do this

When I started the job 18 mths ago I joined a team of two other people. One has since left and the other now does a different job in another building

I'm expected to do the job on my own. I've had enough of trying to handle it now so I've decided to just let everything build up and questions will eventually be asked

I'm looking for a new job but in the meantime just on a go slow now

Sorry this is happening to you too, but I think you're right, it's the only way they'll see that it's not going to work

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Original poster

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 19:53

Pencase · 12/02/2023 18:36

Interesting question on how much you do as a PA - dh shared a PA with 3 other colleagues at a big four firm - they do mostly diary management, our PA doe the same - but she will do anything for us - as long as she is paid and spoken to with respect, all stuff that needs to be done will be done by her. But for DH's clients some PAs are almost a deputy - they wield enormous amounts of influence. Whether what they are suggesting is reasonable really depends on who you are assisting and what they expect of you.

Support C Suite, do not a team PA. Autonomous and expected to act as if the exec, so more the latter.

They want it all ways but don't want to pay for it.

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Pencase · 12/02/2023 20:23

blippyissilly · 12/02/2023 18:21

Two options, either look for a new job and eventually leave or, stay and just slow right down so the work isn't getting done on time

Give them a problem

As of last Tuesday I've slowed right down and now I'm doing a fraction of what I was before and I will continue to do this

When I started the job 18 mths ago I joined a team of two other people. One has since left and the other now does a different job in another building

I'm expected to do the job on my own. I've had enough of trying to handle it now so I've decided to just let everything build up and questions will eventually be asked

I'm looking for a new job but in the meantime just on a go slow now

I'd sack you on a go-slow - you're underperforming and you have not served two years, so getting rid of you would be my priority.

GinIronic · 12/02/2023 20:28

Pencase · 12/02/2023 20:23

I'd sack you on a go-slow - you're underperforming and you have not served two years, so getting rid of you would be my priority.

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… and there will be no one doing the job.

Pencase · 12/02/2023 20:33

Well if the person doing the job is on a go slow they aren't doing the job - I'd be looking at getting them out the door.

Original poster

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 20:36

Pencase · 12/02/2023 20:33

Well if the person doing the job is on a go slow they aren't doing the job - I'd be looking at getting them out the door.

Pencase- the person going slow has the work of three people do can't possibly do it all, faced with that volume of work you often have no choice but to go slow

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Pencase · 12/02/2023 20:41

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 20:36

Pencase- the person going slow has the work of three people do can't possibly do it all, faced with that volume of work you often have no choice but to go slow

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As of last Tuesday I've slowed right down and now I'm doing a fraction of what I was before and I will continue to do this This is on the go slow - I would be sacking someone behaving like this especially if they were approaching the 2 year mark.

Original poster

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 20:45

Well I have to say, you've clearly never been taken advantage of. You've chosen to ignore the fact that she was in a team of 3 but now is on her own left to do all the work. Last Tuesday was clearly the end of the line for her, we all have a line after which we can't take anymore.

Rather than judging her on the last 5 days, maybe look at the two years previous where she's been put in an untenable position.

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Pencase · 12/02/2023 20:53

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 20:45

Well I have to say, you've clearly never been taken advantage of. You've chosen to ignore the fact that she was in a team of 3 but now is on her own left to do all the work. Last Tuesday was clearly the end of the line for her, we all have a line after which we can't take anymore.

Rather than judging her on the last 5 days, maybe look at the two years previous where she's been put in an untenable position.

It works both ways - we employ people to do a job - don't want to work do something else. Go on a go slow - especially when you have not worked for 2 years is a bit reckless - but she's not my employee, my view is irrelevant.

makingarunforit · 12/02/2023 21:21

In all fairness to the op, her job was working for two people. Now it's four people and reception which is effectively team PA/receptionist. That's a very different job and it's a demotion. I'd be annoyed too.

Op, what do your original two think?

Previously they had 50% of your time and now they will have 20% of your time. I think you need to get that into your head and not keep trying to do 50% or you will kill yourself.

What's your financial situation? Do you need to suck it up until you find something else?

Original poster

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 21:29

makingarunforit · 12/02/2023 21:21

In all fairness to the op, her job was working for two people. Now it's four people and reception which is effectively team PA/receptionist. That's a very different job and it's a demotion. I'd be annoyed too.

Op, what do your original two think?

Previously they had 50% of your time and now they will have 20% of your time. I think you need to get that into your head and not keep trying to do 50% or you will kill yourself.

What's your financial situation? Do you need to suck it up until you find something else?

Yes need to suck it up, but will look around, it's a skilled role, and there's no shortage of jobs out there, but I had wondered was it ok for them to do this, it seems odd to me

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makingarunforit · 12/02/2023 21:44

What does your contract say? Does it specifically say PA to 2 Directors? I guess you can challenge it if it does but they will probably just try to vary it then you need to decide if you accept it. If not, I guess it's bye bye. ACAS would be able to advise.

To be honest though, I just wouldn't bother. It sounds like you are very involved and they just don't understand how much you do. They don't value you.

How many people left and how many are remaining?

Pencase · 12/02/2023 22:13

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 21:29

Yes need to suck it up, but will look around, it's a skilled role, and there's no shortage of jobs out there, but I had wondered was it ok for them to do this, it seems odd to me

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They could just make your role redundant, would that be better?

Original poster

dishyrishi · 12/02/2023 22:24

makingarunforit · 12/02/2023 21:44

What does your contract say? Does it specifically say PA to 2 Directors? I guess you can challenge it if it does but they will probably just try to vary it then you need to decide if you accept it. If not, I guess it's bye bye. ACAS would be able to advise.

To be honest though, I just wouldn't bother. It sounds like you are very involved and they just don't understand how much you do. They don't value you.

How many people left and how many are remaining?

There were 60 not there's 30, so a doubling of the workload for all

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